Tumbling mill



G. H. JOHNSON 1,967,147

TUMBLING MILL Filed April 16, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 17, 1934. G. H. JOHNSON TUMBLING MILL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 16, 1934 TUMBLING MILL Filed April 16, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 17, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics Atwood Vacuum Machine Company,

Rockford,

111., a co-partnership composed of James T. Atwood and Seth B. Atwood Application April 16, 1934, Serial No. 720,743 so Claims. (01. 51-164) This invention relates to tumbling mills and separators generally.

The principal object of my invention is to pro- Still another object consistsin the provision of.

a tumbling mill in which the rotary drum has the pockets in the form of projecting segregating chambers on the periphery thereof, and in which there are one or more closures on the drum itself to permit loading and unloading of material, and closures on the peripheral chambers to permit the loading or unloading of material, the mill-being thus adapted'either to separate smaller abrasive elements from the work or smaller work-pieces from the abrasive elements when the direction of rotation of the drum is reversed, and permitting the convenient loading and unloading of abrasive and work-pieces. This construction also permits use of the device as a separator, whether it be the separation of washing or treating solution from washed or treated work; or small scrap from finished work-pieces; or any certain sized or shaped articles from other articles of different size or shape, or any fluid or semi-fluid material from another material of sufficiently different character to permit mechani-- cal separation, sitting, or filtering, as herein described.

A further object consists in the provision in combination with the segregating chambers or pockets of acheck valve at the inner end of the inlet passage to each of said chambers to positively trap the abrasive or work-pieces in the segregation of the one from the other and enable the complete separation of the work and abrasive. In connection with this valve means I also provide a manual control rendering the valve means operative or inoperative at will.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of a tumbling mill or separator made in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the the check valves;

drum indicating the same as turning counterclockwise for tumbling;

Fig. 3 is a similar section indicating the drum as turning clockwise for separation of the work and abrasive;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional detail on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; i

Fig. 5 is an end view of a portion of the mill looking at the opposite end from that shown in Figure 1 and illustrating the manual control for Fig. 6 is an enlarged diagram to further illustrate the operation of the control;

Fig. '7 is a section on the line '7--7 of Fig. 5 showing the control, and

Figs. 8 and 9 are two views of the valve operating means, Fig. 8 showing the means in position to hold the valve open, and Fig. 9 showing the means in an inactive position allowing the valve to open or close freely.

The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring generally to Figures 1-3, the numeral 10 designates a drum in which work-pieces 11 and suitable abrasive 12 is tumbled by rotation of the drum. The drum is supported by trunnions 13 received in bearings 14 on a supporting frame, and is driven in either direction by gears 15-16 turned by pulley 17 and belt 18. The work-pieces 11 are, in this case, shown as larger than the abrasive particles 12 but it will soon appear that the mill may also be operated using large abrasive jacks on smaller work-pieces. The salient feature of this invention consists in providing the separating or segregating chambers or pockets on the periphery of the drum, in the case of a tumbling mill, to separate the abrasive from the-work, or vice versa, depending upon whether the abrasive particles are smaller than the workpieces, or larger and, in the case of a separator, to separate one class of material from another class, difi'ering in such degree that mechanical separation by. the herein described method is practicable. Any number of these chambers may be provided, although for the purpose of keeping the drum 10 in good balance it is preferred to have any even number of. such chambers, with half of them on one side of center and the other half on the other side in diametrically opposed relation. Four such chambers are shown, num- 10 bered 19-22, and, assuming that 11 are the workpieces and 12 the abrasive particles, these chambers are to separate the abrasive particles from the work pieces. These chambers communicate with the inside of the drum each through an in- 110 let screen or grating 23 and circuitous passage 24, the latter opening at its inner end into the chamber, as at 25, at that end of the chamber remote rotates in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 2) the mass of work and abrasive is tumbled over and over in the bottom of the drum and subjected to an extra degree of agitation by reason of the work and abrasive riding up the inclined walls 28 and dropping off in front of the inlets 23 as one after the other of the projections 26 pass through the pile in the bottom of the drum.

Manifestly, since the drum rotates so that the inlets are constantly moving away from the mass of work and abrasive, there is no opportunity for abrasive particles to find their way into the chambers 19-22 through the inlets 23 and passages 24. Some abrasive is shown in the chambers 1922 for the purpose of illustrating how 22 (Fig. 2), it is observed how the abrasive is thrown to the other end of the chamber when the chamber arrives at the position of chamber way a certain amount of the the passage 24. Then, in the further turning of the drum, the abrasive travels along the passage, as shown at chamber 21, finally being discharged through the inlet, as appears at chamber 22. In several turns of the drum, all of the abrasive that has previously been separated into these chambers 1922 finds its way back into the drum. The triangular projections 26 are not absolutely essential to the successful operation of my invention, although they do give good results from the standpoint of providing better agitation and tumbling of the work and also from the standpoint of expediting the separation of the materials, as hereinafter described. The tumbling of work and abrasive is continued for a specified time or until inspection of the work indicates that the scale, in the case of forgings or the like, has been completely or substantially completely removed or that the work-pieces have been properly burnished or polished, where the work is tumbled for that purpose, or that the burrs have been removed or sharp edges rounded. where the work has been tumbled for that purpose. Obviously, different work requires different amounts of tumbling, and different kinds of abrasive are employed, ranging from large jacks down to small shot and even sand and water, depending upon the kind of work being handled and the results to be secured. Assuming that the tumbling operation on a batch of work is complete, the drum 10 is stopped rotating in a counter-clockwise direction and rotated in a clockwise direction, as shown 3, in order to separate the abrasive from the work, or the work from the abrasive, whichever is the smaller. The one is screened out of the other by rotation of the drum, instead of emptying the drum and then sifting the one from the other, usually by screening. The

following description of the separating operation after tumbling, will, of course, serve as the description of the present device for separating generally, and, while reference is made to work material and abrasive material, it will be understood that any two or more materials adapted to be separated in the present manner are contemplated. Observing Fig. 3, it will be seen that each inlet 23 is passed forwardly through the pile in the bottom of the drum, as distinguished from the rearward movement described in connection with Fig. 2. In such movement, the smaller particles or pieces of abrasive or work, as the case may be, pass through the grating of the inlet opening, as seen at chamber 22, Fig. 3. Then, as the drum turns further, these particles or pieces travel along the passage 24 toward the entrance 25 into the chamber communicating with the passage; see chamber 21. The further turning of the drum results in the pocketing of these particles or pieces, as shown at chamber 20 and chamber 19. The rotation is continued until the separation is completed, whereupon the closure 29, secured as at 30 to the peripheral wall ofthe drum is removed and the drum emptied into a suitable receptacle placed therebeneath, that is, assuming that the drum contains the finished work, and that the abrasive is contained in the chambers 1922. Where the work is smaller and is accordingly separated into the chambers 1922, it can be removed by opening the doors 31 provided on the side walls of said chambers. The openings at closures 29 and 31 are, of course, used both for loading and unloading, although in the case where smaller work is to be tumbled, it will, of course, be handier to load it through the opening at closure 29 than into any one of the chambers l922, because the mill is then ready immediately to start the tumbling operation. The tumbled work in such case is subsequently removed through the openings at doors 31.

Sifter holes are suitably provided in the outer walls of passages 24, as shown at 32. Where the chambers 19-22 are used to collect the abrasive separated from the work left in the drum, these openings 32 serve to sift out scale, grit and dirt from the abrasive, assuming, of course, that the abrasive is in the form of jacks or shot, or any other material not fine enough itself to pass through these sifter holes. Where the work itself is separated into the chambers 1922, these sifter holes will, of course, sift out the grit and dirt therefrom. The sifting will occur not only when the abrasive or work pieces are entering the chambers l922 but also when leaving, see chambers 2122 in Fig. 3, and chambers 19 and 20 in Fig. 2. The tumbling mill is, therefore, selfcleaning and the abrasive has a better opportunity of doing its work.

I have found that in the separation of abrasive or work into chambers 1922, it is impossible to pocket all of the abrasive or work-pieces, when more than a certain amount has to be handled. There is a tendency after the chambers have been filled with material to a certain level for any additional amount to flow back and forth in the passages 24 instead of staying in the chambers. For that reason, I provide what may be termed check valves 33 to close the entrances 25 into the chambers l922 by seating outwardly, that is, these valves or gates open inwardly to allow intake of material and close outwardly to prevent escape of the material. In Fig. 3, the valve or gate 33 in chamber 21 is shown closed to prevent escape of the abrasive into the passage 24, but the valve 30 in chamber 20 is shown partly opened to admit the abrasive to the chamber from the passage, and the valve or gate of chamber 19 is shown fully opened. Now, these valves 33 must be one-way valves only during the separation of the materials; when the chambers 19-22 are being emptied into the drum, it is, of course, important that these valves or gates be held open. For this reason, I have provided arms 34 on the side walls of the chambers 19-22 pivoted, as at 35, for movement between pins 36 and 37. A projection 38 on each arm 34 constitutes a valve tappet and is arranged, as shown in Fig. 8, to engage a finger 39 mounted on one of the two trunnions 40 of the valve 33, whereby to move the finger into engagement with a pin 41. The arm 34 is actuated by a coiled tension spring 42 which holds the arm on either side of dead center in engagement with pin 36 or pin 37. When the arm is held in engagement with pin 36 the valve 33 is locked in open position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8.

When the arm is in engagement with pin 3'? the valve 33 is free to move to open or closed position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 9. Any suitable means may be provided to move the arms from one position to the other. I have shown'a cam 43 arranged to engage rollers 44 carried on the outer ends of the arms 34. The cam 43 normally hangs in a mid-position, supported on a rod 45 on bracket 46 and in such mid-position is not in either of the two paths :1: and y of rollers 44, see Fig. 6. However, a hand lever 4'7 movable between pins 48 and 49 on the bracket 46 is arranged to swing the cam 43 either way from its middle inoperative position, whereby to switch the rollers 44 from path at to path y, or vice versa, and accordingly control the valves 33. When the rollers 44 are switched from :r to 1 thus causing the arms 34 to swing over dead center, the valves. 33 are all looked in open position, see Fig. 8. When the rollers are switched from y to :c, the valves instead of being held open are made free to open or close.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn with a view to covering all legitimate modifications and adaptations".

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for tumbling abradable work material with abrasive material, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with said container only through an inlet opening and a passage, the latter extending in such relation to the rotation of said container, whereby to cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in one direction and to flow out of said chambers when the container is turned in the reverse direction, screening means for said passages allowing only the one material to pass therethrough, whereby to separate the work from the abrasive, and closure means affording access to the container and chambers.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 including finer screening means in the outer walls of said passages behind the first mentioned screening means to sift out refuse from the material prior to its entering the separator chambers.

3. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for tumbling abradable work material with abrasive material, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with said container only through an inlet opening and a passage, the latter extending in such relation to the rotation o f-said container, whereby to'cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in one direction and to flow out of said chambers when the container is turned in the reverse direction, screening means for said passages allowing only the abrasive material to pass therethrough, whereby to separate the abrasive from the work and collect the same in said chambers, and closure means for said container permitting loading and unloading of work therein.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 including finer screening means in the outer walls of said passages behind the first mentioned screening means to sift out refuse from the abrasive material prior to its entering the separator chambers.

5. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for tumbling abradable work material with abrasive material, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with said container only through an inlet opening and a passage, the latter extending in such relation to the rotation of said container, whereby to cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in one direction and to flow out-of said chambers when the container is turned in the reverse direction,

terial into said chambers, said means being arranged to be rendered inoperative so as to allow inflow and outflow of said material, and closure means affording access to the container and chambers.

6. In a device of the class described, a rotary 1 container for tumbling abradable work material with abrasive material, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with said container only through an inlet opening and a passage, the latter extending in such relation to the rotation of said container, whereby to cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in one direction and to flow out of said chambers when the container is turned in the reverse direc tion, screening means for said passages allowing only the abrasive material to'pass therethrough, -whereby to separate the abrasive from the work and collect the same in said chambers, means at the inner ends of said passages arranged, when rendered operative, to permit only inflow of abraslve material into said chambers, said means being arranged to be rendered inoperative so as to allow inflow and outflow of said material, and closure means for said container permitting loading and unloading of work therein.

7. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for tumbling abradable work material with abrasive material, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container, an inwardly extending projection on the peripheral wall of said container adjacent one end of each of said chambers, said projections being of triangular cross-section, one leg of the triangle being defined by an inclined wall serving as a baflle to assist in tumbling the material, and a grating forming the other leg of the triangle, each of said chambers having a circuitous passage extending from the grating along the outer wall of the chamber to the other end of the chamber, so as to cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in one direction and to flow out of said chambers when the container is turned in the reverse direction, the gratings allowing only one of said materials to pass therethrough whereby to separate the work from the abrasive, and closure means affording access to the container and chambers.

8. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for tumbling abradable work material with abrasive material, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container, an inwardly extending projection on the peripheral wall of said container'adjacent one end of each of said chambers, said projections being of triangular cross-section, one leg of the triangle being defined by an inclined wall serving as a baiile to assist in tumbling the material, and a grating forming the other leg of the triangle, each of said chambers having a circuitous passage extending from the grating along the outer wall of the chamber to the other end of the chamber, so as to cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in one direction and to flow out of said chambers when the container is turned in the reverse direction, the gratings allowing only the abrasive material to pass therethrough whereby to separate the abrasive from the work and collect the same in said chambers, and closure means for said container permitting loading and unloading of work therein.

9. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for tumbling abradable work material with abrasive material, a plurality of inwardly extending projections on the peripheral wall of said container in circumferentially spaced relation, said projections being of triangular crosssection with the corresponding side of each projection formed by an inclined wall serving as a bafiie to assist in the tumbling of the work and abrasive material, and the other side of each of said projections being formed by a grating of a size allowing only the one material to pass therethrough, and a plurality of separator chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with one of said gratings in such relation to the rotation of said container, whereby to cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in one direction and to flow out of said chambers when the container is turned in the opposite direction.

10. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for tumbling abradable work material with abrasive material, a plurality of inwardly extending projections on the peripheral wall of said container in circumferentially spaced relation, said projections being of triangular cross-section with the corresponding'side of each projection formed by an inclined wall serving as a baflle to assist in the tumbling of the work and abrasive material, and the other side of each of said projections being formed by a grating of a size allowing only the one material to pass therethrough, and a plurality of separator chambers on the periphery of said container, each being associated with one of the aforesaid projections with the one end thereof adjacent the grating, each of said chambers having a passage therein extending from the grating outwardly, then rearwardly the full length of said chamber, and then inwardly for communication with the end of said chamber opposite the grating, whereby to cause material to flow into-said chambers when the container isturned in one direction and to flow out of said chambers when the container is turned in the reverse direction.

11. A device as set forth in claim 10 including a swingable gate to close' each passage to prevent an inlet opening and a escape of material from the chamber but allow inflow of material, and means arranged when rendered operative to hold said gate in an open position so as to allow inflow and outflow of material.

12. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for tumbling abradable work material with abrasive material, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with said container only through an inlet opening and a passage, the latter extending in such relation to the rotation of said con tainer, whereby to cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in one direction and to flow out of said chambers when the container is turned in the reverse direction, and screening means for said passages allowing only the one material to pass therethrough, whereby to separate the work from the abrasive.

13. A device as set forth in claim 12 including finer screening means in the outer walls of said passages behind the first mentioned screening means to sift out refuse from the material prior to its entering the separator chambers.

14. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for tumbling abradable work material with abrasive material, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with said container only through passage, the latter extending in such relation to the rotation of said container, whereby to cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in one direction and to flow out of when the container is turned in the reverse direction, and screening means for said passages a1- lowing only the abrasive material to pass there through whereby to separate the abrasive from the work and collect the same in said chambers.

15. A device as set forth in claim 14 including finer screening means in the outer walls of said passages behind the first mentioned screening means to sift out refuse from the abrasive material prior to its entering the separator chambers.

16. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for separating one class of material from another, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with said container through an inlet opening, the latter being disposed in such relation to the rotation of said container whereby to cause material to flow into said chamber when the container is turned in a certain direction, and sifting means for said openings allowing all but one class of material to pass therethrough, whereby to separate the one material from the other.

said chambers 17. In a device of the class described, a rotary 7 container for separating one classxof material from another, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with said container through an inlet opening, the latter being disposed in such relation to the rotation of said container whereby to cause material to tainer is turned in a. certain direction, sifting means for 'said openings allowing all but one class of 'em'aterialto pass .therethrough, whereby to separate the'one materialfrom the'other, and closure means afiording access to the container and chambers.

18.In a device of the class described, a rotary container for tumbling abradable work material with an abrasive medium, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container each flow into said chamber whenthe concommunicating with said container through an inlet opening, the latter being disposed in such relation to the rotation of said container whereby to cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in a certain direction and out of said chambers when the container is turned in the reverse direction, and sifting means for said openings allowing all but the one material to pass therethrough whereby to separatethe work from the abrasive.

19. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for tumbling abradable work material with an abrasive medium, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with said container through an inlet opening, the latter being disposed in such relation to the rotation of said container whereby to cause material to flow into .said chambers when the container is turned in a certain direction and out of said chambers when the container is turned in the reverse direction, sifting means for said openings allowing all but the one material to pass therethrough whereby to separate the work from the abrasive, and closure means afiording access to the container and chambers.

20. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for separating one 'class of material from another, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with said container through an inlet opening and passage, the latter being disposed in such relation to the rotation of said container whereby to cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in a certain direction, sitting means for said openings allowing all but one class of material to pass therethrough, whereby, to separate the one material from the other, and means in said passages, permitting only one way flow from the container into said chambers.

21. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for separating one class of material from another, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with said container through an inlet opening and passage, the latter being disposed in such relation to the rotation of said container whereby to cause material to flow into said chambers when a certain direction, sifting means for said open-. ings allowing all but one class of material to pass therethrough, whereby to separate the one material from the other, means in said passages permitting only one way flow from the container into said chambers, and closure means affording access to the container and chambers.

22. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for tumbling abradable work material with an abrasive medium, chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with said container through an inlet opening and passage, the latter being disposed in such relation to the rotation of said container whereby to cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in a certain direction and out of said chambers when the container is turned in the reverse direction, sifting means for said openings allowing all but the one material to pass therethrough whereby to separate the work from the abrasive,

and means in said passage arranged in one state of adjustment to allow only one-way flow through said passages from the container to the chambers but in another state of adjustment allowing flow in either direction.

the container is turned in one or more separator 23. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for tumbling abradable work material with an abrasive medium, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with said container through an inlet opening and passage, the latter being disposed in such relation to the rotation of said container whereby to cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in a certain direction and out of said chambers when the container is turned in the reverse direction, sifting means for said openings allowing all but the one material to pass therethrough whereby to separate the work from the abrasive, means in said passage arranged in one state of adjustment to allow only oneway flow through said passages from the container to the chambers but in another state of adjustment allowing flow in either direction, and closure means affording access to the container and chambers.

24. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for separating one class of material from another, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container, an inwardly extending projection on the peripheral wall of said container adjacent one end of each of said chambers, said projections being of triangular cross-section, one leg of the triangle being defined by an inclined wall, and a grating forming the other leg of the triangle, each of said chambers having a circuitous passage extending from the grating along the outer wall of the chamber to the other end of the chamber so as to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in a certain direction, the gratings-allow-.- ing all but one of said materials to pass therethrough whereby to separate the one material from the other. v

25. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for separating one class of material from another, one or more separator chambers on the periphery of said container, an inwardly extending projection on the peripheral wall of said container adjacent one end of each of said chambers, said projections being of triangular cross-section, one leg of the triangle being defined to cause material triangle, each of said chambers grating along the outer wall of tlie chamber to the other end of the chamber so as to cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in a certain direction, the gratings allowing all but one of said materials to pass therethrough whereby to separate the one material from the other, and closure means afiording access to the container and chambers.

26. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for separating one class of material from another, a plurality of inwardly extending projections on the peripheral wall of said container in circumIerent-ially spaced relation, said projections being of substantially triangular cross-section with the corresponding side of each projection formed by a grating of a size allowing all but the one material to pass therethrough, and a plurality of separator chambers on the periphery of said container each communicating with one of said gratings in such relation to the rotation of said container whereby to cause material to flow into said chambers when the container is turned in a certain direction.

2'7. In a device of the class described, a rotary container for separating one clam of material from another, a" plurality of inwardly extending ,projections ontheperipheral wall of said container' in circumferentially spaced relation, said projections being of substantially tria gular cross 28. A device as set forth in claim 27 including means preventing back flow through said passages.

29. A device as set forth in claim 27 including means preventing back flow through said passages, and closure means affording access to the container and chambers.

30. In a device of the class described, a rotary 8U tainer each communicating with said container only through an inlet opening, the latter being disposed in such relation to the rotation of said 

